4 bed detached house for sale

The Birches, High Street, Edzell, Angus DD9

Stunning, fully refurbished Arts & Crafts house on the edge of the highly desirable village of Edzell.

Description
The Birches is very attractively situated on the edge of Edzell, adjacent to the Dalhousie Arch which was built in 1887 to commemorate the 13th Earl and Countess of Dalhousie. The house is surrounded on two sides by woodland. Dating from about 1904, it was built in an Arts and Crafts style, which was typical of the period, as the dower house for a local estate, and is one of the very finest houses in Edzell. It is a most attractive property, built of dressed stone with a slate roof, and still retains many of its period Arts and Crafts features including original decorative fireplaces, pitch pine finishings, staircase and panelled doors, together with cornices, picture rails and wooden floors. It sits within its own lovely enclosed gardens, and extends to some 0.67 acres.

The Birches remained in the ownership of the local estate until 1996 and was acquired by the sellers in 2016. As such this is only the third time that the house has been offered for sale. While retaining the period character of the house, the current owners set about substantial refurbishments in 2016/17 including the creation of a wonderful open plan dining room and kitchen, which along with the addition of a conservatory, is a lovely hub to the house. They also created a cosy living room and study in what was the old kitchen, while retaining the formal sitting room, which is ideal for entertaining. At the same time the house was fully redecorated and recarpeted, and new light fittings, a new wood burning stove in the dining room and a new boiler were installed. The en suite was refurbished, along with the provision of an en suite WC for one of the other bedrooms. The new kitchen included a new aga. The roof was overhauled and landscaping works in the garden included the removal of some trees allowing even more natural light into the house. These substantive works followed on from improvements made by the previous owners including the erection of the large detached garage with an attic room, which was built in a sympathetic style. As such The Birches is a fabulous house, of great character, with well proportioned accommodation and so is ideal both for entertaining and for modern family life. As well as some lovely fireplaces, other period features include cornices and picture rails in the vestibule, sitting room, dining room, landing and the bedrooms, as well as cornicing in the hall. The house is within easy walking distance of the centre of the village and is opposite the golf course. Being on the edge of woodland, the garden is a haven for wildlife including red squirrels.

There are two entrance gateways which lead to a gravelled parking and turning sweep in front of the house, and which continues on past the side to further parking at the rear and to the garage. At the front of the house is a covered verandah with an entrance door to a vestibule with a leaded window and an inner partially glazed door with sidelights to an impressive hall. This has original wood panelling and staircase to the first floor, as well as a wooden floor. To one side is the elegant sitting room which has an ornate cornice and an open fireplace with an over mantel, a wooden floor and a connecting door to a butler’s pantry. On the other side of the hall is the open plan dining room and kitchen, again with wooden flooring. The dining room has elaborate ceiling plasterwork, bay window, fireplace with a wood burning stove and mirrored overmantel, and display cupboard with a shelved cupboard below. An island unit has a wooden worktop and breakfast bar, while the fully fitted kitchen also has wooden worktops, with tiled splashbacks, and includes a neff double oven/grill, microwave, sink, slimline dishwasher, two ring gas hob, three oven aga with extractor, and an LG fridge/freezer with water and ice dispenser. Off this is the marvellous Mozolowski & Murray double glazed conservatory, which has a tiled floor and doors to the garden – facing south it is ideal for sun throughout the day. Also off the hall is an understairs part timber lined WC with washbasin, and a study/living room again with wooden flooring. This has fitted bookshelves, wine storage, a fireplace with a wood burning stove, along with fitted shelves and cupboards. Off this is the butler’s pantry, linking to the sitting room, with fitted storage units and porcelain sink. Beyond is a rear entrance lobby and a useful laundry room with a Belfast sink, Indesit dryer, Samsung washing machine, wall mounted Vaillant boiler and clothes pulley. There is a boot room and a separate WC.

The fine period staircase, lit by a large window, leads up to a first floor landing with bookshelves, and a hatch with attic ladder to floored roof space. Bedroom 1 has a fireplace, while bedroom 2 is double aspect, again with a fireplace, and a cupboard. The principal bedroom has a fireplace with mirrored overmantel, a cupboard, shelved press, two wardrobes and an en suite with walk in shower, pedestal washbasin and WC. Bedroom 4 has a fitted wardrobe and an en suite with washbasin with vanity unity and a WC. Off this is a shelved linen cupboard, and a store room. The family bathroom has a bath, washbasin with vanity unit, and a separate WC.

Attached to the rear of the property is a shelved cold store/larder and a lean to wooden log store (2.95m x 1.85m). The garage block is finished in stone with a slate roof, concrete floor, power and light, and in keeping with the property has two arched wooden doors. Outside steps lead up to a games or attic room above which could be used for a number of different purposes, including a home office. The Birches is surrounded by its own lovely gardens which are enclosed by hedges. These include lawns, spring bulbs and some mature trees including a fine beech, and of course, birch. There are shrub borders with some rhododendrons, together with paved seating areas with wooden seats, and a gate giving access into the neighbouring woods behind and to the side.

Location
The pretty village of Edzell, to the north of Brechin in Angus, is an attractive and thriving community, situated at the foot of the Angus Glens. Close by are Glen Esk and Glen Lethnot, which are two of the loveliest local glens. Edzell offers good local shopping including a butcher, post office, convenience store, coffee shops and a chemist, and benefits from a new health centre and a modern primary school which includes a nursery. Also in Edzell is the Glenesk Hotel which has a spa, and there is a further hotel and a renowned 18 hole golf course, along with a 9 hole course and driving range.

The property is ideally situated for those who wish to enjoy the range of outdoor pursuits offered in Angus. There are lovely walks within the vicinity of Edzell, including along the nearby River North Esk. Salmon and sea trout fishing is also available on the Noth Esk, and on the nearby South Esk and West Water. The Angus glens also offer some of the best hill walking in eastern Scotland and skiing at Glenshee. From Edzell the scenic Cairn o’ Mount route gives access to Deeside. Other golf courses in the area include Montrose and Brechin, with the championship course at Carnoustie also nearby. There are outstanding sandy beaches at Lunan Bay and St Cyrus, which is a nature reserve, as is Montrose Basin. The nearby town of Brechin is well served with local shops, business and leisure facilities, with secondary schooling and a swimming pool at the new community campus. Further afield, more extensive shopping and business services are found in Forfar, the county town, and in Montrose. Private schooling is available locally at Lathallan (Johnshaven), which has a dedicated bus service from Brechin, as has the High School of Dundee.

The nearby A90 provides fast access to Aberdeen and south to Dundee, which are both easily reached and offer all the services expected of major cities. Dundee has renowned cultural facilities including the V&A museum. There are railway stations at Montrose and Laurencekirk on the east coast mainline with regular services to Aberdeen and the south, including a sleeper to London. Journey times to Aberdeen and its airport have been much reduced by the Western Peripheral Route. Aberdeen Airport provides a range of domestic and European flights and there is a service from Dundee to Heathrow. Edinburgh Airport is also easily reached.

Distances - A90 3.5 miles, Brechin 5.5 miles, Laurencekirk 10 miles, Montrose 12 miles, Forfar 17 miles, Dundee 31 miles, Aberdeen 37 miles.

Square Footage: 3,160 sq ft

Acreage:
0.67 Acres

Directions
From the A90 (Dundee to Aberdeen dual carriageway), just to the north of Brechin, take the B966 signposted to Edzell. In Edzell proceed through the Dalhousie Arch and The Birches is immediately on the right hand side. Use the second gate.

If coming from the north on the A90, some 4 miles south of Laurencekirk, take the turning at Northwaterbridge (on the county boundary of Angus and Kincardineshire) signposted Edzell Woods and Edzell. Follow the Edzell road for some 4.4 miles and then turn left on to the B966, signposted Edzell. In Edzell, proceed through the village, and The Birches will be seen on the left, just before leaving the village and the Dalhousie Arch.

Additional Info
Viewings - Strictly by appointment with Savills .
Services - Mains water, electricity, gas and drainage. Mains gas central heating.

Local Authority & tax band - Angus Council tax band G.

Fixtures & Fittings - Fitted carpets, curtains, window blinds and light fittings are included.

Photos taken and brochure produced in June 2025

Personal Interest - The sellers’ brother/brother in law is a consultant at Savills Edinburgh office.

Servitude rights, burdens and wayleaves - The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all servitude rights, burdens, reservations and wayleaves, including rights of access and rights of way, whether public or private, light, support, drainage, water and wayleaves for masts, pylons, stays, cable, drains and water, gas and other pipes, whether contained in the Title Deeds or informally constituted and whether referred to in the General Remarks and Stipulations or not. The Purchaser(s) will be held to have satisfied himself as to the nature of all such servitude rights and others.

Offers, in Scottish legal form, must be submitted by your solicitor to the Selling Agents. It is intended to set a closing date but the seller reserves the right to negotiate a sale with a single party. All genuinely interested parties are advised to instruct their solicitor to note their interest with the Selling Agents immediately after inspection.

Deposit - A deposit of 10% of the purchase price may be required. It will be paid within 7 days of the conclusion of Missives. The deposit will be non-returnable in the event of the Purchaser(s) failing to complete the sale for reasons not attributable to the Seller or his agents.
Important notice


Savills, their clients and any joint agents give notice that:

1. They are not authorised to make or give any representations or warranties in relation to the property either here or elsewhere, either on their own behalf or on behalf of their client or otherwise. They assume no responsibility for any statement that may be made in these particulars. These particulars do not form part of any offer or contract and must not be relied upon as statements or representations of fact.
2. Any areas, measurements or distances are approximate. The text, photographs and plans are for guidance only and are not necessarily comprehensive. It should not be assumed that the property has all necessary planning, building regulation or other consents and Savills have not tested any services, equipment or facilities. Purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise.

Our ref DRO250626

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